Rep. Dan Kildee has secured a plum spot on the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, the latest move in a string of events that has raised the Michigan Democrat’s national profile.  

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., announced Friday the appointment of Kildee to the panel that helps sort committee assignments and evaluate and recommend changes to caucus policy. She also announced the appointment of Rep. Eric Swalwell, of California, as vice chairman of the committee. Kildee, a second-term lawmaker, has been at the forefront of the congressional response to the poisoning of his hometown of Flint’s water supply: cajoling the EPA and Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder for answers on how it happened, riding herd on committees to conduct vigorous oversight, introducing legislation and making sure the issue doesn’t go away.  

“Thank you to Leader Pelosi for appointing me to serve on the Steering and Policy Committee. Leader Pelosi’s dedication to creating more opportunity for all Americans is unwavering, and I look forward to working with her and all of our caucus in this role. House Democrats go to work every day to make it easier for hardworking families to own a home, invest in their kids’ college and save for a secure retirement,” Kildee said in a statement provided to Roll Call.  

The Michigander also found himself in international headlines last month when Flint native Amir Hekmati and four other Americans were released from an Iranian prison, something Kildee had been working for years to make happen.  

“On the Steering and Policy Committee, Dan’s remarkable leadership — from facilitating floor messaging to advocating for the working families of America’s cities and economic opportunity — will lead to even greater achievements for all Americans,” Pelosi said in a statement announcing the appointment.  

Contact Dick at jasondick@rollcall.com and follow him on Twitter @jasonjdick.

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